I just took the Lyric out of my Martin DM tonight and bought a Fishman Infinity Matrix VT instead. The Lyric never worked without feeding back massively, not even once, in the half dozen times in different gigs and settings in which I tried it. I took it to the store to get it adjusted, and the LR Baggs tech helped me with it. But it did not change the performance, however. It fed back hard every single time. Doing a feedback sweep with my Boss AD-10 worked only once, and it was still dicey. So I have a slightly used Lyric to sell.

Wow i think thats the best sounding pickup I've ever heard.

Thanks Aaron, your content is really useful!

@aaronshortmusic

8 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Thanks for all you do. Today I installed my third Lyric pickup, this time into my 00-15m. Already have one in a Larrivee OM-03 and a vintage Guild D35. I have spent SO much $$ trying pickups and own quite a few other options, and I have to agree with you that you need some processing to get great results. My experience is that with an experienced ear and a good EQ, this is simply what works best in the music that I make. I could not use the pickup without EQ, I use the Baggs Align EQ. I’ve never had feedback with it, including with a band with drums and floor wedges. To my ear it is different and more natural than the Anthem, and I like not doing the piezo thing. The sneaky awesome thing about this pickup… it’s dead simple to install yourself and there’s always folks ripping them out and selling them barely used. Please and thank you.

Thanks Aaron for your detailed review of the L.R. Baggs Lyric microphone. This is a great review! I also have installed a L.R. Baggs Lyric microphone in a recent guitar that I built that has a 'Falcate' braced style soundboard top. I had to make some modifications that involved adding a spruce patch so the 'Lyric' microphone could be mounted onto the bridge plate with a 90 degree rotation. I found that this modification did not effect the sound quality. I agree with your comments that the Lyric microphone produces a natural sound of an acoustic guitar. Adding some EQ adjustments and a touch of reverb plus some compression as displayed on the video definitely improves the sound considering that the Lyric is mounted inside the box of the guitar using the 'pzm' plate principle. I also notice that a strap holder button at the neck joint that is made of acrylic or, plastic type will add unwanted mechanical noises when a shoulder strap is connected to this button. I found that metal type strap button holders minimises this issue. I have also made a youtube video with a sample audio track that includes enhancements using the L.R. Baggs Lyric microphone. The video shows the internal mounting set up that I described above. See Link: kzread.info/dash/bejne/eYagztSlgtirh5c.html Best Regards Wayne WJ Guitars Australia

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Wayne!

I put a Lyric in my Larrivee DV03....and then my Larrivee OMV40..... It is to my ears the most natural sounding way to amplify your guitar . It records so well. I will also be putting one in my new custom Larrivee OMV40WW. :) Honestly, the sound of the Lyric before you started cutting EQ...etc....sounded better. I will either play thru the Tonewood amp as my only effect, or when I use my main board...then I have the LR Baggs Align Session (the Lyric gets smoothed out so nicely with this ) and EQ pedals.....and they really add the special sauce :)

@aaronshortmusic

4 ай бұрын

I agree. When I play the Lyric with headphones it feels like I am in a recording studio which makes sense as it is a microphone in the guitar. I found it usable live but it didn’t sound as ‘big’ and ‘powerful’ as I wanted. I think the new HiFi Duet could be a good alternative when it is released.

@davekguitars

4 ай бұрын

@aaronshortmusic I'm too hooked on the whole concept of mic only. Have you had a chance to use the Tonewood Amp ? I come out of my Lyric into tonewood.. and line out from there direct to PA or recording. It's killer. Or when I use the Align pedals you get more 'big and powerful' :) I am playing solo instrumental loop station stuff 95% of time anyways, and probably half and half whether home into laptop/monitors or live in small venues (even outside with my battery behringer pa speaker)... and it just turns heads :)

@aaronshortmusic

4 ай бұрын

I had a demo at NAMM years ago but I prefer to plug into pedals...@@davekguitars

Nice review. I was definitely considering this pick up for an old ovation guitar that I have around the house. But upon hearing it here I don’t think it would work for me. My number one choice for small gigs is to Mic my Martin HD 28. If I need more than that I go with my Maton EBG 808. I’d be curious to see how that little Martin of yours would sound with a baggs m80. Maybe it’s me getting older, but I’m starting to revisit magnetic pick ups just because they’re so easy, and you can always play in a very loud room with them. I almost feel like you need to have three acoustic guitars one for a low volume room one for a mid volume room and one for playing in a very loud sports bar

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

Thanks. Magnetic pickups are certainly feedback resistant but I personally don’t like their ‘electric’ tone. I have tried a couple of magnetic systems that surprised me but for now I am looking for something that is ‘in usable’ and sounds the most like the microphone sounds which is why the Lyric is very appealing!

Lyric works great with Aura pedal, run feedback sweep and rock on!

Nice, I loaded the baggs in my Taylor and got the ping sound out and this sounded great live. Got lots of compliments. No feedback since the speakers are mounted and we just use in ears and we aren’t ever playing that high to get feedback anyways so win win. Thanks for the review.

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I need to find out what the ‘ping’ is. I hear it on most guitars now that I am aware of it lol.

@88omarz

Жыл бұрын

@@aaronshortmusic lol it’s really just frequency in the specific environment that makes the guitar sound awful.

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

@@88omarz No it’s in all guitars but sometimes it’s one obvious depending on the guitar and the pickup. At least it can be notched out at a gig.

@88omarz

Жыл бұрын

@@aaronshortmusic am just happy it can be notched out

Your Lyric sounds great! I’ve tried my Lyric in three guitars and I’ve had to cut all of the mid lows with a parametric eq. just to get something that sounds sort of like a guitar. LR Bags kindly allowed me to return it for adjustment (long after the warranty was expired) and although there was some improvement I still need drastic eq. Considering how great your Lyric sounds, I’m guessing there’s still something wrong with mine. Thanks for the demo, perhaps I’ll send mine back for more adjustment.

@aaronshortmusic

26 күн бұрын

As it is a mic it is highly sensitive to the guitar. External EQ will also be essential to boost lows and cut some mids. Think of it as processing a microphone and not a pickup.

Sounds like a Martin and very natural plugged in. Which Martin is that...I been happy with my K & K in my hd28 and a b-band in my Larrivee 12 string and D15. They are not made anymore though. I would try that one and be happy with it. Ive looked at them awhile ago. Nice vid..

I put a Lyric in a Larrivee OM. I thought it was boomy and not natural sounding at higher volumes. I added a Fishman humbucker soundhole pickup and wired the two together with info from Baggs support. I use a stereo cable coming out and split the signal into 2 channels on my Fishman Loudbox. I end up using just a fraction of the Lyric. So I've spent what I would have spent on an Anthem to get a 2 source pickup that needs both channels on my amp. Go figure...

@aaronshortmusic

9 ай бұрын

Sounds similar to the Fishman Rare Earth mic blend that I recently reviewed.

I wonder how the lyric sounds in a mcpherson sable.

I wonder how the lyric would sound used with the bags other pedals like their reverb and studio compressor.

@jameslifetimelearner

Жыл бұрын

They work great together, I’ve got the whole run.

The sound is great. As is your advice. I am ordering the Lyric right now. Does this pickup have a noisy preamp or is it quiet and what do you think about tonematching the Lyric to an external mic using the Fabfilter pro Q 3 as you did with the Trance Amulet? Thanks for another great video Aaron!

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! The preamp has some noise floor as any mic does but it’s not an issue for me at all. Tonematching should work great. The more ‘information’ a system picks up the easier it is to tone match in my experience.

I use my LR Baggs lyric with a Fishman artist amplifier that I use for a monitor and then run the Fishman through the PA everybody tells me it sounds great I've never once had a feedback problem

@aaronshortmusic

2 ай бұрын

Maybe it’s easier with a monitor when you are away from the PA…

Just looked at your video on the Anthem SL install - I'm wondering, quick opinion of this vice the SL??

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

My thoughts: the ‘full’ offers more flexibility that I never use so I would get the SL. The SL is cheaper, the controls can be recessed into the Soundhole so that they are out of view and you can still use a Soundhole plug and it also has about 8db more output level.

I installed the lyric in my 0M 28, and I use a Fishman pro EQ I cut the high a bit .. the guitar is very mid range and even though I cut the mid the guitar still sounds boxy , any suggestions? And btw I used the k n k and although you can turn it up louder, the lyric definitely sounds better in my opinion.thanks

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

You need to find the mid frequency that is causing the boxiness and cut it. Maybe boost some bass as well. All guitars are different. I agree that the Lyric is more natural sounding as it’s a microphone. The contact pickups are definitely more work to dial in than an undersaddle and mic though…

I’ve previously tried using a soundhole cover but had to do a fair bit of cutting and modifying of the cover to accomodate the volume knob that is in the soundhole. I’d be interested in seeing the video on you sound hole cover modifications

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

Did you see the part where I say to mount the controls further inside? It works perfectly!

@marcelchaloupka

Жыл бұрын

@@aaronshortmusic yes, i commented before you said that. On another point, how do you find the Lyric with the play acoustic. I recently bought a Play Acoustic but I find the BodyRez over the top. I know you can remove the bodyrez using the mix level but then there seems to be some other weirdness in the sound. Do you have any tips/settings on using the Lyric with the Play Acoustic? Thanks

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

Do not use BodyRez. Use the EQ only setting at 100% mix and it will work just like a parametric EQ. You also have the notch, HPF and phase controls at your disposal!

@marcelchaloupka

Жыл бұрын

@@aaronshortmusic interesting but you've got me stumped. I can't see a way to turn off the Bodyrez outside of turning the amount down to zero. I presume the amount is wet/dry mix. As for an EQ-only setting, I can't find that.

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

@@marcelchaloupka It’s in the BodyRez settings. One of them is EQ only.

I wonder how the lyric compares to the mic in the new Hifi Duet mic.

@aaronshortmusic

5 ай бұрын

I have a good idea of that. Let’s talk about it on next weeks livestream…

Hi Aaron, which would be your preference, the Lyric or the Schatten hfc? Cheers

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

The Lyric but I suggest the Anthem SL for most people.

Master aaron. Between lyric and anthem (full). What you prefere? Which one do you recomend most? For a dread, tô play in a band with no speakers infront of me

@aaronshortmusic

7 ай бұрын

Anthem.

q: at what point will all this be done from the mic to the speaker via bluetooth, no holes in the guitar?

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

Not for a long time. It will add latency, impact battery life and wireless is not as reliable as a good cable.

@staleyexplores

Жыл бұрын

@@aaronshortmusic good call

@marcelchaloupka

Жыл бұрын

Would need to be wireless not Bluetooth be of Bluetooths compression and lack of fidelity

@staleyexplores

Жыл бұрын

@@marcelchaloupka good point

demo starts at 4:18

Can someone please link the sound hole cover he mentioned in the video?

@aaronshortmusic

4 ай бұрын

It depends on which guitar you have as they all have different sized Soundholes.

@NimbleLiving

4 ай бұрын

@@aaronshortmusic thank you for the reply. I got the 000-28 Brooke Martin guitar. Which size would that be?

Do you have any experience with the classical version of this in a nylon string guitar.

@aaronshortmusic

3 ай бұрын

I do not but I know that they have a classical version.

@tleek

3 ай бұрын

It’s the only classical pickup my local shop has and it has some very polar opposite reviews. Seems like people either love it or hate it!

@aaronshortmusic

3 ай бұрын

@@tleek Will they let you return it? It’s a microphone so the results will also depend on the guitar.

@tleek

3 ай бұрын

@@aaronshortmusicu doubt they’d take it back. LR baggs recommended the anthem SL-c over this but I wanted to give it a try and it was available locally so my local shop is installing it now. Hoping it works well.

Still sounds muffled to me.....lacks presence. Which do you prefer, Anthem or Lyric? Or is there a new favorite?

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

Listening back it doesn’t have the extreme highs of the mic. They say that is a result of the external mic hearing the pick sound. I think this is the closest you can get without using IR. I am going to try K&K and IR to see if it’s ‘better’ than this.

@daniac5

Жыл бұрын

@@aaronshortmusic Excellent......Have you tried the K& K alternative JourneyTek EP-001K?

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

@@daniac5 I have not. Have you??

@daniac5

Жыл бұрын

@@aaronshortmusic I have not. Some reviewers compare or prefer it to the K&K and it's half the price.

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

@@daniac5 Interested. K&K is tried and tested though. Most of the soundboard pickups sounds the same to me. They need to be processed correctly.

I bet I could modify if you ever want to remove your volume controls . 😅

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

I think it’s worth just hiding them inside.

@petermussillo5657

Жыл бұрын

I hope the cole Clark is still doing well . Pete from Korg here

@aaronshortmusic

Жыл бұрын

@@petermussillo5657 Hey Pete, it's still working! Great to hear from you buddy hope to see you soon.

What a wonderful natural acoustic sound. Even though I grew up on loud music, excessive amplification is sometimes the bane of musicality. This would be fantastic in "acoustic" venues where the goal is to fill out the sound just enough. I can't count diners ruined by complimentary live music louder than food tastes. Every venue is not a rock concert that needs to overpower a rowdy crowd. At the end the sound loses some of the wonderful tonality, sounding more processed. But that might be desirable situationally.

@aaronshortmusic

3 ай бұрын

This is one of my favorite acoustic systems when using IEM's. I would encourage you to wait for the new LR Baggs 'HiFi Duet' as it promises to be a great competitor to the Lyric.

That sounded so bad. Only high end strings.

@aaronshortmusic

Ай бұрын

It can sound great with EQ but I prefer the Anthem when playing on stage.